The Country Mice

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat

Please put a penny in the old man’s hat.

If you haven’t got a penny a ha-penny will do.

If you haven’t got a ha-penny, God bless you!

Hey, kid! Fix that pencil grip!

That’s better.

Thanks.

I learned that little ditty when I was in Kindergarten from our teacher, Mrs. Knudson. Her first name was Margaret.

Back then — 1964 if you must know — it was very special to have connived knowledge of a teacher’s first name.

These days knowledge of teachers’ first names is de rigeur.

In the meantime, such discussions are relegated to the sidelines as we complete our spelling homework.

And in fact, I’m less concerned with homework than I am with playing with a camera in low-light situations, sans flash.

Homeboy, however, is gloating over the fact he has no homework.

None. And he can smile.

Because The Mother knows he’s going to get nailed in just a wee few hours.

The Assignment That Ends All Assignments.

And I’ll be there.

Sans flash.